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Hiring a law office is an important decision. Therefore, we encourage you to fully investigate our credentials. Do not hesitate to call us with any questions you may have about this firm's qualifications or experience.

John R. Murphy received undergraduate degrees in political philosophy and political science from Syracuse University in 1986. After serving in the United States Peace Corps for two years, Mr. Murphy received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1992. After receiving his law degree, Mr. Murphy clerked for the Honorable Donald J. Porter, United States District Court Judge for the District of South Dakota. He was then selected as a Skadden Fellow for a two year fellowship at Black Hills Legal Services, where he acted as senior staff attorney and the director of the Indian Law Project. As a Skadden Fellow, Mr. Murphy focused his practice on representing persons accused of child abuse and/or neglect. In 1995, Mr. Murphy established his private practice law firm, and he has emphasized criminal defense since that time. He has authored two law review articles, Accurate Competency Determinations Through The Utilization Of Medical Professionals, and, Conflicts of Interest in Criminal Representation. Mr. Murphy is a member of the following organizations: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; American Bar Association (Criminal Justice Section); South Dakota State Bar Association (Criminal Law Committee); and, Black Hills Criminal Defense Bar.

Erin E. Ducheneaux is a native of western South Dakota. Her experience with the law began early, spending many afternoons eating cookies in the law library of her grandfather's (Donn Bennett) law office in Belle Fourche. She began a career as a legal assistant in 2002. She is certified through the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), and holds the ALS and PLS certifications. Erin is a member of NALS and the Black Hills Legal Professionals' Association.